Accolades just a bonus for coach

Paul Everingham sweeps while batting for Lennox Head in the Far North Coast LJ Hooker League.

LENNOX HEAD’S Paul Everingham says winning the NSW Country Cricket Coach of the Year award was the culmination of all the hard work he and a strong support team had put in place over a number of years.

Everingham was recognised by his peers for a successful season on the park where, as coach of the North Coast Under-16s, he led the team to win this season’s Bradman Cup and later to become State champions.

“I enjoy what I do; I don’t this for the accolades, to me that’s just a bonus,” he said.

“I’m stoked to have won the award, however I just want to see these boys do well.

“It’s a coming to fruition of all the hard work from not just myself but a lot of people behind the scenes, like Keith Wyatt from the Tweed, (locals) Neil Hellyar and Craig Ferguson, zone co-ordinator Bob Myatt and team manager Tony Cowin.”

Everingham is a former Brisbane first-grade wicketkeeper-batsman.

After returning to the region he played for Marist Brothers in the Far North Coast LJ Hooker League for a season or two before linking with Lennox Head where he has been involved the Pirates club ever since, although the 2008-09 season was his last in the whites.

Now as coach of the NSW Emerging Blues, Everingham will be part of a Level 1 coaching course at St John’s College, Woodlawn, on Sunday, and will begin a three-month off-season training program from May.